The Early Ayn Rand

PERKINS: [Wearily] How many times have I heard that before?

[MRS. PERKINS runs to door Left and exits, slamming the door. PERKINS sits wearily, without moving. An old-fashioned clock strikes nine. He rises slowly, turns out the lights, pulls the shade down over the glass entrance door. The room is dim but for one lamp burning by the fireplace. He leans against the mantelpiece, his head on his arm, slumped wearily. The doorbell rings. It is a quick, nervous, somehow furtive sound. PERKINS starts, looks at the entrance door, surprised, hesitates, then crosses to door and opens it. Before we can see the visitor, his voice a stunned explosion:] Oh, my God!! [PERKINS steps aside. KAY GONDA stands on the threshold. She wears an exquisitely plain black suit, very modem, austerely severe; a black hat, black shoes, stockings, bag, and gloves. The sole and startling contrast to her clothes is the pale, luminous gold of her hair and the whiteness of her face. It is a strange face with eyes that make one uncomfortable. She is tall and very slender. Her movements are slow, her steps light, soundless. There is a feeling of unreality about her, the feeling of a being that does not belong on this earth. She looks more like a ghost than a woman]

KAY GONDA: Please keep quiet. And let me in.

PERKINS: [Stuttering foolishly] You... you are...

KAY GONDA: Kay Gonda. [She enters and closes the door behind her]

PERKINS: W-why...

KAY GONDA: Are you George Perkins?

PERKINS: [Foolishly] Yes, ma'am. George Perkins. George S. Perkins... Only how...

KAY GONDA: I am in trouble. Have you heard about it?

PERKINS: Y-yes... oh my God!... Yes...

KAY GONDA: I have to hide. For the night. It is dangerous. Can you let me stay here?

PERKINS: Here?

KAY GONDA: Yes. For one night

PERKINS: But how... that is... why did you...

KAY GONDA: [Opens her bag and shows him. the letter] I read your letter. And I thought that no one would look for me here. And I thought you would want to help me.

PERKINS: I... Miss Gonda, you'll excuse me, please, you know it's enough to make a fellow... I mean, if I don't seem to make sense or... I mean, if you need help, you can stay here the rest of your life, Miss Gonda.

KAY GONDA: [Calmly] Thank you. [She throws her bag on a table, takes off her hat and gloves, indifferently, as if she were quite at home. He keeps staring at her]

PERKINS: You mean... they're really after you?

KAY GONDA: The police. [Adds] For murder.

PERKINS: I won't let them get you. If there's anything I can... [He stops short. Steps are heard approaching, behind the door Left]

MRS. PERKINS' VOICE: [Offstage] George!

PERKINS: Yes... dovey?

MRS. PERKINS' VOICE: Who was that who rang the bell?

PERKINS: No... no one, dovey. Somebody had the wrong address. [He listens to the steps moving away, then whispers:] That was my wife. We'd better keep quiet. She's all right. Only... she wouldn't understand.

KAY GONDA: It will be dangerous for you, if they find me here.

PERKINS: I don't care. [She smiles slowly. He points to the room helplessly] Just make yourself at home. You can sleep right here, on the davenport, and I'll stay outside and watch to see that no one...

KAY GONDA: No. I don't want to sleep. Stay here. You and I, we have so much to talk about.

PERKINS: Oh, yes. Sure... that is... about what, Miss Gonda?